7.59°C Vancouver

Nov 11, 2020 12:23 AM -

Celebrate Diwali safely this year: Doug McCallum

Share On

On behalf of City Council, I want to wish everyone a very happy and safe Diwali this year.

Also known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is a much-loved cultural tradition in Surrey that promotes the message of unity, warmth and joy.

Like all big celebrations, Diwali is traditionally a time for family and friends to come together to enjoy food and each other’s company.

This year, however, celebrations must be approached differently.

With the recent sharp rise of new COVID-19 cases in Metro Vancouver a new Provincial Health Order was issued this past weekend and it is vital that Diwali celebrations comply with the new order.

If we all do our part, we can rein in the spread of the virus and bring the curve back down.

That is why it is more important than ever that this year’s celebrations are kept only to your immediate household as mandated by the Provincial Health Order.

That means no social gatherings, whether they be indoors or outdoors, of any size beyond your immediate household.

I am proud of how the vast majority of our community have taken the COVID public health protocols to heart.

We must all continue to take personal responsibility to limit the spread of this virus so we can better our odds of getting back to the way of life we all want sooner rather than later.

Make no mistake about it, the actions we take now will have a long-term impact in our fight against COVID.

So do your part and keep yourself, your loved ones and your community safe by fully observing the new Provincial Health Order that has been put in place between now and November 23.

Latest news

surrey-police-arrest-28-year-old-in-electronics-store-robberies
BCOct 19, 2026

Surrey Police Arrest 28-Year-Old in Electronics Store Robberies

The Surrey Police Service’s Prolific Offender Unit has arrested a 28-year-old suspect in connection with a series of break-ins and robberies at electronics stores across Surrey. According to police, Austin Thomas Romeo Hogan is accused of smashing display cabinets at electronics retailers, assaulting staff members and stealing thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise between June and October 2026. The BC Prosecution Service has approved 17 charges against Hogan, including robbery and assault with a weapon. Police said the incidents caused an estimated $100,000 in losses for Surrey busine
24-year-old-surrey-man-killed-in-coquihalla-highway-crash-three-others-seriously-injured
BCOct 19, 2026

24-Year-Old Surrey Man Killed in Coquihalla Highway Crash, Three Others Seriously Injured

A 24-year-old man from Surrey has been killed in a head-on collision between a Toyota Tacoma and a Toyota RAV4 on the Coquihalla Highway near Merritt, B.C., on Saturday morning. According to B.C. Highway Patrol, police received multiple reports of a vehicle travelling in the wrong direction on the highway. Officers were on their way to intercept the vehicle when the collision occurred near the Helmer exit. One of the four Surrey men travelling in the RAV4 died at the scene. The other three men, aged between 24 and 38, suffered serious injuries and were taken to hospital, where they remain unde
canadas-inflation-rises-to-3-1-raising-prospects-of-interest-rate-hike-by-year-end
CanadaOct 19, 2026

Canada’s Inflation Rises to 3.1%, Raising Prospects of Interest Rate Hike by Year-End

Economists believe the Bank of Canada could raise interest rates by the end of 2026 following the release of the country’s September inflation figures. According to Statistics Canada, the annual inflation rate climbed to 3.1 per cent, driven by higher oil and gas prices, moving above the Bank of Canada’s target range of 1 to 3 per cent. However, underlying inflation has eased, offering some relief to the central bank. Ongoing trade tensions with the United States and the crisis in the Middle East could put further upward pressure on inflation. According to KPMG Canada, the Bank of Canada i
13-injured-in-multi-vehicle-crash-involving-semi-truck-and-double-decker-bus-in-surrey
BCOct 19, 2026

13 Injured in Multi-Vehicle Crash Involving Semi-Truck and Double-Decker Bus in Surrey

Thirteen people were injured in a multi-vehicle crash involving a semi-truck, a double-decker bus and several other vehicles on Highway 99 in Surrey on Friday evening. According to the Surrey Police Service, the collision occurred around 4:30 p.m. near the Highway 99 and Highway 91 interchange. A semi-truck first struck three cars travelling in the same direction before losing control, crossing the median and colliding with an oncoming double-decker bus and another car. Approximately 50 to 60 people were aboard the bus at the time of the crash. According to B.C. Emergency Health Services, two
BCOct 19, 2026

Eby Urges Green Party Voters to Back NDP as Emily Lowan Fires Back Ahead of B.C. Election

Political activity has intensified in the final week of British Columbia’s provincial election campaign, with NDP Leader David Eby urging Green Party supporters to vote for the NDP, prompting a sharp response from Green Party Leader Emily Lowan. On Sunday, Eby appealed to Green voters not to waste their votes on the Green Party, arguing that Lowan is unlikely to become premier. He warned that votes for the Greens could split the vote and benefit the B.C. Conservatives. Responding to Eby’s remarks, Lowan accused him of calling the election two years ahead of schedule for political gain. She

Related News